"Desert Heat"

— Charlotte Moon-Acha

This photo was taken outside of my home in Pinion Hills, California (located in the Mojave Desert) one very early Winter morning. The footprints were a combination of my dog [sniffing perturbedly] and our visitors in the night consisting of a pair of coyote and a mountain lion

 

 

The desert is a mystical place,
it can deceive or reveal its truth.
But beware! For you will not
know which you see.

The desert gives life easily,
and just as quickly, takes it away.
It possesses a beauty unique,
tho' deadly can it's beauty be.

The desert is a magician,
the ease of its sleight of hand
to betray your eyes, your senses.
But, oh! How grand the desert be!

I love to walk the desert at sunrise.
Creatures large and small scurry to
their tasks, stopping often to play
in the dawning of the new sun.

I love to feel the soft sand as it
surrounds my bare feet in its warmth.
Look! How wondrous does the
sidewinder move, so smooth!

And there! See the coyote hide
behind the brush? His prey is near,
a jackrabbit, perhaps; you will not know.
There, on that rock, can you see?
A horned toad lounges lazily.
Oh my! That silly skink! See him
doing his push-ups in the sun.

I love to walk the desert at dusk, and
feel the gentle zephyr cool the land.
Creatures sleeping during the heat of
the day now pop their heads from
their dens; a new day has begun.
Mighty is the desert, and quick to anger.
The gentle wind now blows with rage
and warns all those in its way.

Alas, I must now retreat to the
safety of my home, tho' brief,
for tomorrow, I can once again roam,
As I have made my peace
with this wondrous desert land.